Method of cleaning and covering an access site

Abstract

A syringe assembly including: (1) a syringe barrel defining a chamber; (2) a plunger mounted in the chamber and moveable with respect to the barrel; and (3) a cap assembly containing a cap and an absorbent material is removably attached to the plunger.

1. A method of cleaning and covering an access site, the method comprising the steps of:
 flushing an access site with a solution; 
 storing a container and a threaded cap in a syringe; 
 removing a sealing cover on the container having the threaded cap, the threaded cap having an antiseptic fluid therein; 
 threading the cap onto the access site with the cap positioned in the container, the cap including a sponge and the antiseptic fluid being retained in the sponge, the sponge contacting the access site when the cap is threaded onto the access site; 
 withdrawing the cap from the container; and 
 allowing the cap to remain on and cover the access site. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of removing the container and the cap from the syringe after engaging the cap with the access site. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of retaining antiseptic fluid within the cap by sealing the cap with a thread cover engaging the access site. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of threading the cap onto the access site with the cap positioned in the container includes the step of preventing relative rotational movement between the syringe and the cap to ensure common rotational movement about a common axis. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of flushing an access site with a solution comprises flushing an access site with a solution delivered by a syringe. 
     
     
       6. A method of cleaning and covering an access site, the method comprising the steps of:
 flushing an access site with a solution; 
 storing a threaded cap in a syringe, the threaded cap having an antiseptic fluid therein; 
 threading the cap onto the access site; and 
 allowing the cap to remain on and cover the access site by moving the syringe away from the access site. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the threaded cap is provided in a container. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of withdrawing the cap from the container. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cap includes a sponge and the antiseptic fluid is retained in the sponge, the sponge contacting the access site when the cap is threaded on the access site. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of retaining antiseptic fluid within the cap by sealing the cap with a thread cover engaging the access site. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of threading the cap onto the access site includes the step of preventing relative rotational movement between the syringe and the cap to ensure common rotational movement about a common axis. 
     
     
       12. A method of cleaning and covering an access site, the method comprising the steps of:
 flushing an access site with a solution delivered by a syringe; 
 removing a sealing cover on a container having a threaded cap with a thread cover, the threaded cap having an antiseptic fluid therein; 
 threading the cap onto the access site with the cap positioned in the container, the cap including a sponge and the antiseptic fluid being retained in the sponge, the sponge contacting the access site when the cap is threaded onto the access site; 
 withdrawing the container from the cap; 
 allowing the cap to remain on and cover the access site, thereby retaining antiseptic fluid within the cap; and 
 storing the container and the cap in a second syringe. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of removing the container and the cap from the second syringe after engaging the cap with the access site.